INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST

Clarification from the agency

Federal employees whose job, agency, or department were eliminated and are eligible for priority over other applicants.

• Ensures successful completion of system modifications and enhancements.
• Redesigns systems to accommodate changes in user requirements, regulations, policies, legislative changes or new technology.
• Maintains accountability for the continuing functionality of systems at overseas Posts and the enterprise LAN that supports Department-wide, mission critical functions.
• Exercises responsibility for the installation, testing, operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of IT hardware and software systems.
• Provides technical advice to other specialists and managers on implementing new or enhanced IT systems, including on-the-job training regarding new and revised methods and techniques for resolving IT issues.
• Provides additional support to leadership throughout the Bureau and Department, as needed.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Incumbent will be subject to random drug testing.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit: www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/

Qualifications

Applicants applying for the GS-12 grade level must meet the following requirements:

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail;
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services;
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately;
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

AND specialized experience listed below:

• Experience serving as the product owner, technical lead, or project manager for enterprise data or artificial intelligence products, developing product strategies, roadmaps and project plans, prioritizing work, resolving complex technical and organizational challenges, and briefing senior executives on technical issues that influence agency programs or operations.
• Experience translating mission or business requirements into enterprise data or AI capabilities by eliciting requirements, identifying and prioritizing AI use cases, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and leading implementation of enterprise solutions from planning through deployment.
• Experience exercising independent technical judgment to determine technical and methodological approaches for enterprise data or AI solutions, evaluating alternatives, developing solutions where precedents do not exist, managing AI risks, and providing expert technical guidance on enterprise architecture, governance, or implementation.

AND have at least 1 full year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level in the Federal service which provided you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

NOTE: In order to qualify for this position, your experience MUST be IT related; the experience may be demonstrated by paid or unpaid experience and/or completion of specific, intensive training (for example, IT certification), as appropriate. There is no substitute of education for specialized experience for the GS-12 position.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

The evaluation process consists of the ApplyGov Competency Based Assessments and a crediting plan for which applicants will be assigned a score between 70 and 100. A resume review will be conducted for minimum qualification requirements, as described in the “Qualifications” section of this announcement, of the top qualified candidates based on combined total score.  Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.  Responses to questions that are not fully supported by your resume may result in a rating adjustment. 

You will be assessed on the following job-related competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):   

Non-Supervisory: Oral Communication, Writing, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Technology Orientation, Customer Service, Attention to Detail and Self-Management. 

Supervisory: Oral Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Customer Service, Leadership, Planning & Evaluating, Influencing/Negotiating, Strategic Thinking, Human Capital Management.]

Set aside at least 2 hours to take the external assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. There are timed sections that must be completed within the allotted timeframe.

Your score from the external assessment will remain on file for 180 days, allowing you to apply for multiple DOS-announced positions without needing to retake the assessments.

Top applicants may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration. The assessment is used to measure the degree in which your background matches the competencies and KSAs required for this position. Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following competencies: 

• Knowledge of secure communications concepts, principles, practices, devices, methods, services and facilities.
• Knowledge of a broad range of IT disciplines, processes, and standards, e.g., systems and
  network administration
• Knowledge of the assigned Post’s operational, administrative, budgetary procedures and processes, and
  Information Management Center.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing to deal with other IT specialists and end -users to resolve
  conflicts.

Applicants found to be among the top qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring official for further consideration and possible interview.  

In describing your experience, please be clear and specific. We do not make assumptions regarding your experience. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application may result in your removal from consideration. 

• Your resume should include relevant work experience, applicable education and your contact information. For current or previous federal employees, include the pay plan, series and grade.
• A separation notification used to determine employment eligibility.
• Your SF-50 shows a federal position you've held, grade level and duty location. Your SF-50 can support position changes, conversions or separation for employment eligibility.

All required documents listed below, that are applicable to you, must be submitted to our automated system by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.

1. Resume limited to two pages showing relevant work/volunteer experience, education and training. Include the start and end dates (from month/year to month/year) and the number of hours per week worked/volunteered. Your resume serves as the basis for qualification determinations and must support your answers to the completed online assessment questions. Resumes longer than two pages will be deemed ineligible and will not be considered further.

2.  Performance appraisal. Submit your most recent (i.e., usually within the last 18 months) final (not a mid-year review) official (i.e., signed by the rating official and in original format) annual performance appraisal.

3.  ICTAP/CTAP eligibility documentation (e.g., reduction-in-force (RIF) separation notice, RIF separation SF-50 personnel action (ICTAP only, if available), most recent SF-50 (ICTAP or CTAP), certification of expected separation, etc.).

Next steps